Green Driving – Tips for Reducing Your Van’s Carbon Footprint

Vans have an essential role to play, with many businesses depending on them daily. Unfortunately, more vans on the road means more congestion, pollution and CO2 emissions causing harm to our already fragile environment.

Despite the introduction of greener alternatives, a weighty 92.4 per cent of new vans in the EU in 2020 were diesel-powered, with petrol accounting for 3.4 per cent of registrations and electrically chargeable vehicles (ECV) comprising a lowly 2.0 per cent -- so finding ways to be greener on the road is crucial.

We've pulled together our top tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint if you are a regular van driver.

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Drive less

Let's kick things off with the simple but not-so-easy solution -- just drive less.

Spending less time on the road will lower emissions and ultimately help us to live a greener life. However, this isn't possible for many, especially those who rely on their vehicle every day for their job.

Although it may not be feasible to drastically reduce your weekly drive time, we can all do our bit to ensure we are not driving more than we need to. This brings us on to our next point...

Drive smart

There are a few ways to ensure you are always driving smarter and greener.

Take some time at the beginning of your working day or week to plan your upcoming journeys, making sure you are taking the quickest (and safest) route. Rather than driving at peak times when you will be stuck in traffic queues, consider driving at off-peak times such as early in the morning or late at night.

Driving at a slower speed will also reduce the amount of fuel being used as, according to Gov UK, it will result in a decline in 'drag'. It's also a good idea to drive in a higher gear with gentle acceleration to keep fuel consumption and harmful emission levels down.

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Go electric

The initial expense of swapping to a hybrid or fully electric van may be off-putting, but the long-term cost and environmental impact are worth it.

Electric vehicles reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change and smog, improving public health and reducing ecological damage.

With the Department of Transport announcing a ban on the sale of all non-hybrid vehicles by 2030, the release of many more electric and hybrid vans is highly likely. Don't forget that a government scheme has been launched to support drivers with making the switch, which means you could be eligible for a grant toward the cost of a new van, if you're prepared to go green:

  • Small vans: The grant will pay for 35 per cent of the purchase price for small vans, up to a maximum of £3,000.

  • Large vans: The grant will pay for 35 per cent of the purchase price for these vehicles, up to a maximum of £6,000.

If you're considering insurance for an electric or hybrid van, The Van Insurer can help. Visit our website to find insurance price comparisons and to get a quote.

Maintain your van

One of the most effective ways to ensure you are on your way to being a 'green driver' is to maintain a healthy, well-serviced vehicle. Make sure you are carrying out basic checks regularly and book in for a regular professional service, especially ahead of a long journey.

As well as keeping a well-maintained vehicle, these are simple changes anyone can make to reduce fuel consumption and emissions so your van's carbon footprint is as small as it can be.

Change doesn't have to be made in huge steps, small differences can be implemented to slowly improve your environmental habits and contribute towards a greener future.

For competitive van insurance quotes, don't forget to visit our website www.thevaninsurer.co.uk.